The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today praised U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-CT) and Peter King (R-NY) for introducing legislation that will improve nursing home patient safety by ensuring every nursing facility in America is equipped with automatic fire sprinkler systems.

"Representatives Larson and King introduced the Nursing Home Fire Safety Act of 2007, adding momentum on Capitol Hill to pass a bipartisan bill to better protect America's frail, elderly, and disabled citizens, and we thank them for their attention to this critical matter," stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA.

"As our profession works to further broaden its quality mission, we understand our first, most basic priority, is to guarantee the physical safety of frail, elderly, and disabled residents within each long term care facility," stated Yarwood. "Patient safety is an essential part of quality long term care; and while…